Discover the Magnificence of California's 45 Greatest Lakes

5 Star Rating System

What makes a 5 Star Lake?

Stars are based on the variety and quantity of services available. Low stars does not mean that
the services provided at a particular lake are poor, only that they are limited.

Low stars can often be a positive.

Anglers seeking quiet waters probably don't want a
5-star boating lake full of jet skis and water skiers. Campers looking for a back-to-nature lake likely
would want to avoid a lake ringed with resorts and motels.

What makes the perfect lake? It all depends on what you are looking for.

Which Lakes Earned the Most Stars?

Shasta Lake - 28

Lake Tahoe - 26

Big Bear Lake - 24

Mammoth Lakes - 24

Lake Havasu - 23

Trinity Lake - 23

Lake Almanor - 23

Shaver Lake - 23

June Lakes Loop - 22

Lake Oroville - 21

These lakes earned high overall stars because they offer a wide variety of boating, camping and lodging.
Find the best lake for you by exploring California's Greatest Lakes.

Shore to Shore Coverage of Each of California's 45 Greatest Lakes

Waterskiing, Wakeboarding, and every other kind of thrill-seeking adventure on the end of a tow rope.
California lakes are home to some of the greatest excitement on water, from the glassy channels of Lake Havasu to
the winding arms of Shasta Lake.

Camping, Picnicking, Swimming, Sports, Hiking Choose the lake to suit your family. Some lakes like Big Bear Lake and Bass Lake seem as if they
were planned just for families. At those lakes and many others you'll find a wide choice of comfortable campgrounds, easy to access boat rentals, sandy beaches,
spectacular scenery, and a myriad of activities
available around the shore. Many lakes have programs specially designed for children from water skiing camps to Junior Ranger programs.

Jet Skis

Ski Boats

Sailboats

Houseboats

Classic Wooden Boats

Whatever your
pleasure, there's likely a great lake to suit your needs within easy driving distance. Some lakes buzz like hornets' nests on summer days
with personal watercraft and wakeboarding boats, while other lakes spread in restful quiet with the only sounds the rustle of the wind
in the trees and the swish of a paddle.
Find the right lake. We have all the best ones right here on California's Greatest Lakes.

Fishing is good at virtually every one of California's Greatest Lakes. Bass anglers favor
the warmer lakes were the largemouth bass and stripers grow to trophy size and keep calling the fishermen back again and
again.

Other sportsmen would rather go after the colder water Kokanee salmon and trout. Some of the lakes are home to almost
every species of fish found in the state while others like Eagle Lake specialize in one particular
fish. You'll find the best lake for you right here.

Every lake offers something different. Shasta has caves, Bass Lake is next to Yosemite, Folsom has bike and horse trails,
Millerton has a casino for a neighbor, New Melones provides guided history and nature walks, Clear Lake is home to the
Konocti Harbor Resort which hosts big name concerts, Big Bear offers skiing, mountain biking, and ziplines, Casitas has a water play area, and
Havasu has the London Bridge. Check out the activities available at your favorite lakes.

Every effort is made to provide accurate and up to date information, but we cannot be responsible for errors or changes that may have occurred since publication. Always confirm information with the service provider and check for any recent changes that may have been made. The information provided on this website is done so without warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, including but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose.